© 2024 WYPR
WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fighting HIV/AIDS For Forty Years

Chase Brexton staff members march in the June, 1990 Baltimore Pride Parade. Credit: Provided
Chase Brexton staff members march in the June, 1990 Baltimore Pride Parade. Credit: Provided

Forty years ago, contracting HIV was something close to a death sentence. Much has happened since then, including the discovery and testing of drugs that allow people with HIV to live long lives and engage in fulfilling relationships.

Dr. Sebastian Ruhs has seen the trajectory of HIV treatment almost since the beginning. Now, he’s the Chief Medical officer for Chase Brexton Health Care. He believes it’s possible to put HIV/AIDS behind us:

“We need to wrap up our sleeves again and all work together because we have a chance now, thanks to these medications and the knowledge that we’ve acquired, to end the epidemic.” Plus, we ask HIV healthcare advocate and educator Carmaletta Able what she's learned.

Links: Baltimore Virtual AIDS Walk and Music Fest, Chase Brexton Healthcare, HIV/AIDS Timeline, HIV/AIDS resources in Maryland.

Sheilah Kast is the host of On The Record, Monday-Friday, 9:30-10:00 am.
Melissa Gerr is a Senior Producer for On the Record. She started in public media at Twin Cities Public Television in St. Paul, Minn., where she is from, and then worked as a field producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland. She made the jump to audio-lover in Baltimore as a digital media editor at Mid-Atlantic Media and Laureate Education, Inc. and as a field producer for "Out of the Blocks." Her beat is typically the off-beat with an emphasis on science, culture and things that make you say, 'Wait, what?'